Must See HDTV

This week continues to be all about the London 2012 Olympics, with most shows diving out of the way of NBC's ratings juggernaut. We do have a few premiers and several season finales though, so give the schedule a close look to make sure you don't miss a favorite's wrap-up. Also on deck is a healthy slate of preseason football, while we've got most of the national broadcasts listed, you'll want to keep an eye out for your local team. Also worth noting? A slew of flicks hitting Blu-ray this week including personal favorites Clue and Adventures in Babysitting. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Olympics
For a second week in a row, it's all about the Olympics, in one way or another. Either you're watching and keeping up with early starting schedules from London or you're not watching, and your favorite summer shows are on hiatus. No matter which side you're on, things wrap up this weekend with the Closing Ceremony, although not soon enough for NBC to try to slipstream two sitcom premieres off of the Games' popularity with Go On
and Animal Practice.
(All Week, NBC & NBCOlympics.com)
Shark Week
Discovery's Shark Week
kicks off its 25th year Sunday night with two specials,including Air Jaws Apocalypse and Impossible Shot. This time around the big hook is internet integration since it's hosted by "internet celebrity" Philip DeFranco, has tie-ins with Discovery's iPad app for second screen info, and encourages voting on the Facebook / Twitter page to determine what the robotic Sharkzilla will crush next. Whatever, as long as they bring the sharks, we'll always be there.
(August 12th, Discovery, 9PM)
Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell
Produced by Chris Rock, this comedy series has been pushed as hard by FC as NBC is pushing its new premieres for the week, but with Chris Rock as a producer and the network's track record (Louie
, Wilfred -- we'll forget Brand X and the Charlie Sheen show) we actually might check it out. Six episodes long, its run begins this week broadcasting Bell's commentary and sketch comedy -- check out a quick behind the scenes look embedded after the break.
Blu-ray & Games
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (3D)ClueMarleyAdventures in Babysitting (25th Anniversary Edition)Romy and Michelle's High School ReunionHigh FidelityGrosse Pointe BlankGrimm (S1)Spaceballs (25th Anniversary Edition)Persona 4 Arena (PS3, Xbox 360)
Monday
2012 Olympics Night 11 of 17, NBC, 8PMThe Secret Life of the American Teenager, ABC Family, 8PMBachelor Pad, ABC, 8PMWWE Raw, USA, 8PMThe Closer, TNT, 9PMBunheads, ABC Family, 9PMSingle Ladies, VH1, 9PMWarehouse 13, Syfy, 9PMAlphas, Syfy, 10PMPerception, TNT, 10PMThe Glass House, ABC, 10PMTeen Wolf, MTV, 10PMWeb Therapy, Showtime, 11PM
Tuesday
2012 Olympics Night 12 of 17, NBC, 8PMPretty Little Liars, ABC Family, 8PMRizzoli & Isles, TNT, 9PMThe LA Complex, CW, 9PMNY Med, ABC, 10PM
Wednesday
2012 Olympics Night 13 of 17, NBC, 8PMGo On (series premiere), NBC, 11PMMelissa & Joey, ABC Family, 8PMBaby Daddy, ABC Family, 8:30PMDallas (season finale), TNT, 9PMDamages, DirecTV, 9PMHit and Miss, DirecTV, 10PMThe Franchise, Showtime, 10PMFuturama, Comedy Central, 10PMThe Real World, MTV, 10PM
Thursday
Packers/Chargers MNF preseason football, ESPN, 8PM2012 Olympics Night 14 of 17, NBC, 8PMImpact Wrestling, Spike TV, 8PMBurn Notice, USA, 9PMWipeout, ABC, 9PMAnger Management, FX, 9:30PMSuits, USA, 10PMWilfred, FX, 10PMSullivan & Son, TBS, 10PMAwkward, MTV, 10:30PMLouie, FX, 10:30PMTotally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (series premiere), FX, 11PMChildren's Hospital (season premiere), Comedy Central, 11:59PM
Friday
2012 Olympics Night 15 of 17, NBC, 8PMCommon Law (season finale), USA, 10PMComedy Bang! Bang! (season finale), IFC, 10PMBunk (season finale), IFC, 10:30PMJets/Bengals preseason football, NFL Network, 7:30PMWWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PMLost Girl, Syfy, 10PMJohn Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, Comedy Central 11PM
Saturday
2012 Olympics Night 16 of 17, NBC, 8PMTexans/Panthers preseason football, NFL Network, 7PMTitans/Seahawks preseason football, NFL Network, 10PMBoogeyman (special presentation), Syfy, 9PMNYC 22 (season finale), CBS, 8PMJeff Ross Roasts America, Comedy Central, 11PM
Sunday
2012 Olympics Night 17 of 17, NBC, 7PMAnimal Practice (series premiere), NBC, 10:38PMAir Jaws Apocalypse, Discovery, 9PMShark Week's Impossible Shot, Discovery, 10PMThe Glades (season finale), A&E, 9PMHell On Wheels (season premiere), AMC, 9PMLongmire (season finale), A&E, 10PMNASCAR Sprint Cup Series @ Watkins Glen, ESPN, 12PMLeverage, TNT, 8PM3, CBS, 9PMFalling Skies, TNT, 9PMTrue Blood, HBO, 9PMThe Great Escape, TNT, 10PMThe Newsroom, HBO, 10PMBreaking Bad, AMC, 10PMPolitical Animals, USA, 10PMThe Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne, Comedy Central, 10PMWeeds, Showtime, 10PMEpisodes, Showtime, 10:30PMSmall Town Security, AMC, 11PM
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